Sport

O'Donovan goal proves decisive

CONNACHT SFC SEMI-FINALS Corofin 1-14 Castlerea 0-8: COROFIN UNDERLINED their credentials as contenders for the Connacht and…

Mon Nov 10 2008 - 00:00

CONNACHT SFC SEMI-FINALS Corofin 1-14 Castlerea 0-8:COROFIN UNDERLINED their credentials as contenders for the Connacht and All-Ireland titles with a comprehensive win over Roscommon's Castlerea at Kiltoom yesterday. They will start the decider against Eastern Harps of Sligo as favourites.

A goal by Alan O'Donovan in the 41st minute proved decisive. The score came from a controversial free against Castlerea's Derek Duggan for picking the ball off the ground. However, there was no doubt about the score as Joe Canney set up O'Donovan, who finished clinically from close range.

Despite playing into the wind the Galway champions led by 0-4 to 0-1 after 17 minutes. Canney opened the scoring in the fifth minute, Enda Kenny equalised but further Corofin points followed from David Hanly (two) and Greg Higgins. Castlerea enjoyed the best spell of the match either side of half-time. Ger Heneghan converted two frees and Ronan Curran equalised with a point in the 22nd minute. O'Donovan drove a goal chance over the bar in the 26th minute. Heneghan equalised from a free before half-time.

Duggan gave Castlerea the lead two minutes into the second half, but Corofin gradually took control. Points from Trevor Burke and O'Donovan (two) eased the visitors ahead and after 41 minutes O'Donovan pounced for the goal.

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Alan Burke stretched the lead to six and the visitors were never in danger subsequently.

Trevor Burke, Gary Sice, Canney and Hanley added points for Corofin, while Heneghan and Duggan replied for Castlerea. Castlerea had a penalty late on, but Heneghan sent his kick wide.

COROFIN: B Power; G Delaney, K Fitzgerald, K McGrath; M Comer, D Burke, A Burke (0-1); G Higgins (0-1), A Donnellan; G Sice (0-1), T Burke (0-2), D Hanly (0-4); J Killeen, J Canney (0-2), A O'Donovan (1-3, 0-1 free). Subs: D Morris for T Burke 55 mins, D Geoghegan for McGrath 59 mins, S Monaghan for Canney 60 mins.

CASTLEREA: G Claffey; N Collins, P Duignan, G Tiernan; N Curran, M Raftery, D Flahive; M Killilea, J Duggan (0-2); C Dineen, N Dineen, S Heneghan; R Curran (0-1), E Kenny (0-1), G Heneghan (0-4, all frees). Subs: D Duggan for C Dineen 35 mins, B Carty for R Curran 44 mins, S Ryan for S Heneghan 45 mins, B O'Regan for Carty 59 mins.

Referee: E O'Grady(Leitrim).